Gearing Up for a Busy Legislative Session in Maryland!

Published January 09, 2013

Today at noon, Maryland’s lawmakers will gather for the 433rd session in the state’s history to deliberate on an estimated 2,500 bills (ranging from education funding to what to name the official state sandwich!).

For the next 90 days, these lawmakers will debate and pass legislation that will affect not only Maryland’s waterways but the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the sustainability of the world’s oceans. As part of National Aquarium’s mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures, our Government Affairs team is committed to shaping conservation and environmental policy at the local, state and federal levels.

National Aquarium’s Government Affairs team will be fighting for the following conservation priorities at the State level:

Shark Fin Bill: Legislation that would make Maryland the first East Coast state to ban the possession, sale and trade of shark fins in order to provide critical protection to endangered shark populations;

Plastic Bag Bill: Legislation to curb the use of plastic bags, similar to laws passed in Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County;

Container Deposit Bill: Legislation to incentivize the recycling of beverage containers that would increase recycling rates from (a dismal) 25 percent to 75 percent or more.

Want to stay informed? The National Aquarium Government Affairs team will be sending regular legislative updates on these conservation policy priorities and ways you can get involved throughout the session!

For more information on how the National Aquarium is living its mission in Maryland, visit www.aqua.org/Maryland.

We will also be bringing you periodic legislative updates on our WATERblog! In addition to pushing for these top conservation priorities, there are numerous bills being discussed that impact our community and environment. Is there an issue you're passionate about this session? Join the conservation on Twitter and/or Facebook and let us know!